Margaret "Jean" Ecclestone

This is the person who chose and put up with John ... her husband of 61 years. They made quite a team and brought into the world a couple of fine children, Drew (Kalia) and Christine McCurry-Ecclestone (Harry). Then there are grandsons Duncan and Lucas ... both fine young men. Also their “second son”, David Henriques ... and second daughter, Meredith Cheney (Rick).

    Jean had a great fondness for family, her garden, music in general, and the French horn. She became enamoured with this instrument in high school and went on to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music on Bloor Street, travelling there come rain or snow and waiting in the cold for the bus home in the winter. She played in the Harmony Symphony Orchestra which in the day operated out of Greenwood Community Centre, and she also played in various groups, and at one time was in a pit orchestra for musical theatre.

     She also found great pride in her stitching ability winning Honourable Mentions in a few craft competitions.

     Work life started at Remington Rand where she became a proficient office worker and later moved onto Union Carbide on Eglinton Avenue in Toronto. While at Remington she met Gail Howard (Henderson) whose husband, David Howard, introduced her to his friend John. That introduction to John flourished and after a few year’s engagement they were married in 1962 at Kingston Road United Church at the approximate corners of Markham Road and Kingston Road. The rest is history ...

     Initially they had an apartment in Toronto but when Drew was expected they moved to Richmond Hill living there for two years before moving back into Toronto. Jean took a temporary position as Church Secretary at Trinity United Church which became Trinity-St Paul’s and more than a “temporary” job, and known to all as Mother Superior, “She who must be obeyed! The ministers during her tenure were The Rev. William Phipps, and later our dear friend, Rev. Malcolm Sinclair.

     When John retired they moved to Keswick. Jean and John joined Keswick United Church where Jean enjoyed the UCW meetings and especially the bible study sessions.

     Jean was the daughter of Gordon and Cecelia Maxwell. She has an older brother Roderick (Rod) married to Barbara (Turner) both of Toronto.

     The family would like to sincerely thank all the staff at Parkview Home Long Term Care in Stouffville for all their kindness and caring. A special thank you to very special PSW, Teresa Hellewell of Access Personnel, for her love and dedication to Jean in the months prior to Jean going to Parkview.

     Memorial Visitation will take place at the M.W. Becker Funeral Home, 490 The Queensway South, Keswick on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service in the Chapel at 12 noon. Cremation.

     Jean loved flowers but if you wish, a donation to Parkview Home Long Term Care would be appreciated by both the family and Parkview.

https://mycharityfund.ca/charity/20614/parkview-village-retirement-community-association-of-york-region

Sign a book of condolences at mwbeckerfuneralhome.com

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